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Rothley Park Golf Club
2015 New Year Newsletter
2015
Golfing Calendar
Monday 6 April
Easter Am-Am
Thursday 14 May
Ladies Invitation
Saturday 16 May
Men’s Invitation
Monday 1 June
Seniors Millenium Open
Saturday 6 June
Ladies Club Championship
Friday 12 June
Pro-Am
Tuesday 16 June
Lady Captains Day
Sunday 21 June
Men’s Club Championship
Saturday 27 June
Men’s Captains Day
Wednesday 1 July
Ladies Open Am-Am
Sunday 12 July
Malcolm Fox
Tuesday 14 July
Lady President’s Day
Sunday 26 July
Presidents Day
Thursday 6 August
Seniors Old John
Saturday 8 August
Men’s Am-Am Invitation
Thursday 27 August
Ladies OPen 4BBB
Sunday 30 August
Shirley Ellis
Saturday 5 September
Jack Seager Invitation
Happy New Year! As I sit here writing this it is cold, wet, windy and miserable
outside. Hardly inspiring to go and play golf! However, spring will be here soon enough
and we can all look forward to another golfing season.
Those who have been playing through the winter will have seen the work that Nigel and
his team have been undertaking. More tees have been laser levelled. Three greens have
been re-drained. Drainage around the rest of the course is ongoing and many other jobs
that are not as visible have also been undertaken and completed. Most visible of the
winter works are the bunkers on the 18th hole which have been rebuilt and reshaped and
new fairway bunkers added to the 17th along with the removal of many of the conifers.
The changes to these two holes have been carried out in conjunction with course
architects Mackenzie & Ebert, who the R&A commission to make alterations to all Open
venues before the Championships. There is an ongoing commitment to improve the
course at Rothley and I for one am extremely excited to start playing the holes where the
changes have been implemented. My thanks to Nigel and his team for their continued
hard work in what is often pretty unpleasant weather to be outdoors!!
There have been issues with catering at the Club. Two senior members of the team have
left employment which has left us in a difficult position. Sherry and her team have tried
their best over what has been a difficult period and whilst not always getting it right, they
have been unstinting in their efforts. Council and the House committee are dedicated to
improving this service and are currently restructuring for the start of the new season. I
know it will take time to bring back the members confidence in the F&B service, but by
getting the basics right I know this can be achieved.
Thank you all for your support in the shop over the Christmas period. Lots of you must
have been very good boys and girls last year! We started ordering the stock for the 2015
spring/summer season last summer! It won’t be long before it starts to land in the shop
and having scoured the golf industry we have some great lines coming in. Callaway
continue to dominate the golf scene and we will once again be stocking their clubs, bags,
accessories and Odyssey putters. New this year to the shop is Srixon. We will also have a
full fitting cart to go along with the stock, so we can custom fit clubs specifically to you.
Clothing lines from Glenmuir, Cutter & Buck, Callaway and Green Lamb will be available.
Ecco and Footjoy shoes will help you get round the course in comfort. Sun Mountain,
the leading bag manufacturer is also in stock. Their H2NO waterproof bag series are
unbelievably good!!
Please remember we have accounts with all leading golf manufacturers and can compete
(and often beat) internet prices! Use us as a click and collect service, simply by emailing us
at [email protected] with what you are looking to purchase and let us do the rest!
On the odd occasion we cannot match an internet price, we are happy to advise you that
what you are buying is right for you.
All that is left for me to do is wish you all a happy, healthy and successful 2015.
Danny Spillane
MEN’S CAPTAIN’S REPORT
A fantastic start to my 2015 captain’s year with a big turnout for the New
Year’s Day drive in with the Ladies’ Captain Angela. My drive was straight but we will say
no more about it…
2015
I would like to congratulate Ian Agar on his year as Captain. I hope his wise words and
example will enable me to follow up 2014 with a great 2015.
Angela and I have chosen LOROS as our charity this year. LOROS is a local charity and there
are not many of us who do not know a relative or friend that has been helped by them.
We have scheduled a number of fund raising events for the year which I hope members
will support. The major event for your diaries is the Captains’ Shotgun on Friday 28th
August. An AM AM event to include members and guests with an exciting charity auction of
fabulous items including unique memorabilia from sporting legends.
Another first for Rothley is the Captains’ Charity Event with Matt Court on 28th March. This
will be an individual stableford with Ladies and Men in the same competition. The top
three will compete with Matt Court in the pro am in June.
I am really looking forward to playing a lot of golf with as many members as possible
during the year and the Weston Webb trophy is there for anyone wants to play against
Danny and myself. The sheet is in the clubhouse to play on as many Saturdays as there
are available.
2015 CAPTAINS – TOM MULLIGAN AND ANGELA FOX
Mail on Sunday
We drew Kirby Muxloe in the first round of the Mail on Sunday competition. The team of
Dave Wardle, Mick Walker, Lewis Baker, Nick Preedy and Phil Bamford braved the freezing
temperature to play on Sunday, 25th January at Kirby Muxloe. Kirby took the first two
matches but great matchplay from Lewis, Nick and Phil gave us a thoroughly deserved if
unexpected win. A bit nerve racking for me on my first outing as Captain watching Phil
hole out a four foot put to clinch the match on the 18th. Let’s hope for a home tie in the
next round.
2015
Tom Mulligan
PAST CAPTAINS VIV AND IAN PUTTING OUT
“We are delighted to announce that with your support throughout the year we have
raised over £10,000 for our chosen charity, Parkinsons UK. There will be a cheque
presentation to the charity on February 17th at 1.00pm in the clubhouse, members
are welcome to come along”
Ian Agar and Viv Holland - 2014 Past Captains
LADY CAPTAIN’S REPORT
I would first like to wish everyone at Rothley Park Golf Club a
belated Happy New Year. To be elected Lady Captain at RPGC for 2015 is an
2015
honour and I will do my very best to uphold both the traditions of the club and the very
high standards set by our previous Captains. My first event was on 7th December when I
attended the Children’s Christmas Party where we entertained over 40 children. I was just
the receptionist, but many thanks go to Ann Coupland, who organised the event brilliantly
and of course Santa Claus for giving out the presents’.
Thanks to Roger Fowlks for being a splendid Santa
Many thanks to all those who organised and participated in an enjoyable New Year’s Eve
Party and despite the Christmas tree throwing a “wobbly” and the balloons falling down
a bit early, a great night. Our Entertainer Robbie/Matt was fantastic. The New Year Drive
In was also very successful, when Ian and Viv two putted out to complete their very
successful year in 2014. Tom and I then drove in under very mild weather, a bit different to
last year’s weather.
I am looking forward to working with my Lady Vice-Captain Dee Laurie and Men’s Captain
Tom Mulligan and I wish them both a very successful and enjoyable year likewise Tom’s
Vice Captain Stuart Birtwistle.
I am delighted that Cath Arter has agreed to be our Ladies Team Scratch Captain for 2015
and I wish the team another successful season. Also good luck to the Mail on Sunday Ladies
Team in our first round draw against Lingdale at home – date yet to be arranged. Let’s all
give them our support.
Rob and Amanda Morgan are successfully running the Winter Mixed Ladder and I am
enjoying playing in this with Pete Kinder. I don’t think we are going to win any prizes, but
great fun all the same.
I am also looking forward to working with Katie, our Lady professional who is recoving
fantastically after her recent knee surgery and we will be organising our Katie and
Angela Challenge later in the year. Finally I would like to thank Viv, our immediate Lady
Past Captain, for her guidance and patience during 2014 and congratulate her on a very
successful year. I only hope she has left some good weather so that we can all have as much
enjoyment in 2015.
Angela Fox
2015
2014 PRIZE PRESENTATION EVENINGS
LEAGUE TEAM REPORT
Firstly I would like to say I’m very honoured to have been put forward as league
team captain, I’m looking forward to supporting the team throughout the various matches this
season and am very much hoping for a competitive year in the league and club knockouts. Also I
would like to thank Phil Bamford and Nick Preedy for selecting and organising the team for the
first round of the mail on Sunday which took place prior to my appointment.
2015
Although we’re only just into February, on Sunday the 25th January our season got underway in
the 1st round of the Mail on Sunday club knockout where we were given a testing start with an
away tie. The five man team which was made up by Dave Wardle, Lewis Baker, Mick Walker, Phil
Bamford and Nick Preedy travelled to Kirby Muxloe on a very fresh, breezy but sunny wintery
morning. Regardless of the testing conditions the standard of golf in all the matches was very
high with most of the holes having to be earned rather than given away cheaply. Despite losing
his opening two holes Lewis was able to recover well and put together a run of pars with a
couple of birdies thrown in for good measure to put him in firm control of the match and give us
our opening point of the afternoon with a 4&3 win.
PHIL BAMFORD
NICK PREEDY
LEWIS BAKER
Unfortunately Dave Wardle & Mick Walker were unable to prevent the opponents from
prevailing in their matches which left the match on a knife edge for the closing holes with
Phil Bamford & Nick Preedy’s matches all square. Both have plenty of experience in these
kinds of situations though and their solid play forced errors from their opponents. Nick
made a great up and down from the back of the 17th green to wrap up his game 2&1 whilst
a bizarre incident where Phil’s 3 wood head smashed on impact with the ball almost cost
him the hole, however the impact lessened the power on the ball and it landed fractionally
short of the pond which protects the green. The hole was halved from there and the match
remained 1up in Phil’s favour and knew that a win would secure our progression. With
both players inside 25ft on the par 3 18th they both left themselves with around 4ft putts
for par and after his opponent holed out Phil had a putt for the match which he confidently
stroked in to win his match and secure a 3-2 away win! A thoroughly deserved victory
watched on by Tom Mulligan the club captain who is looking forward to following the team
this year and along with himself everybody else’s support would be welcomed throughout
the season. We now look forward to see who we will be playing in the 2nd round and hope
to emulate the ladies fantastic achievement from a couple of years ago.
Simon Brown
League Team Captain
SENIOR GENTS REPORT
On behalf of the Mens Senior Section I’d like to take this
opportunity to wish all a happy and successful New Year,
memorable for all the right reasons. The Senior Section is buzzing and I’m
2015
not referring to pace makers, the fitness, athletism and youthfulness, admittedly enhanced
in some cases by a replacement joint or two, is stimulating and bodes well for the coming
season. If 70 is the new 50 then those aged 55 are a match for the under 35’s which is why
I would like to introduce this year a Senior V Junior fixture, arrangements to be agreed.
With age and experience unfortunately comes bad habits,,it’s
with this in mind that I would like to introduce group coaching
for the men’s Senior Section for those wishing to take
advantage of the considerable expertise of our professionals.
Dates for the Seniors two open events ; AM -AM 1st June and
the Old John 6th August have been set, application forms
available on the club website, hopefully club members will
ensure these are distributed to reach the maximum audience
to ensure full fixture for both events.
Geoff Warren
Senior Gents Captain
UNDER 35S REPORT
Although it seems a long way off at the moment it’s only around 8 weeks
until the Tuesday medals will be back in full swing! Tuesday the 31st of March is the date
when it all begins and these are played every week up until the end of September. They run
from around 1pm on a roll up basis and are a great way to meet new people whilst playing
a qualifying medal round of golf where the winners receive vouchers to spend in the pro
shop. They may occasionally be referred to as the Under 35’s medal, this is because at one
time they were ran by the Under 35’s section of the club but at the moment are very well
organised by Jon Feeley so there is no age limit and we look forward to seeing lots of old
and new faces this year.
There was alot of quality golf played in last season’s Tuesday medals which included Toby
Jansen picking up the under 35’s aggregate trophy whilst Mick Walker took home the over
35’s aggregate trophy. The way the aggregate works is the 5 best nett rounds scored in
the Tuesday medals over the course of the season are combined. Alongside the aggregate
trophies the order of merit trophy was also won by Toby Jansen in the closest race ever
where any one of three players could have won the trophy going into the final Tuesday
medal. The way in which the order of merit works is the top 10 players receive points
every week for example 1st place 10 points, 2nd place 9 points etc. So even if you might not
be in with the possibility to win a prize one week its worth fighting until the end because
there’s a chance you could sneak into the top 10 and earn a couple of points which come
the end of the season could help you towards picking up the trophy which was kindly
donated by John Hardwick in 2009.
For the under 35’s team last season was the most successful for nearly 20 years as we
managed to become the county champions. Although this seasons fixtures are some way
off we’re looking forward to defending our title this season and anybody doing well in
the Tuesday medals under the age of 35 will hopefully play some part for the team over
the season. Here’s hoping for some warm weather in the not too distant future and I look
forward to seeing everyone back in the medals come early spring!
Smon Brown
Under 35’s Captain
LADY PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Happy New Year! The festive season is now behind us and we can turn
our thoughts to the year ahead and all that it has to offer. The LPC has a busy year coming up and we are pleased to welcome Janet McEwan as our
new Secretary, Caroline Simpson as Competitions and Handicaps Secretary, Libby Carter
as Assistant Competitions and Handicaps Secretary, Amanda Morgan as a newly elected
member who will be assisting the Competitions and Handicaps Team, and the return of
Susie Tyler as Assistant Secretary. As I announced at the Annual Meeting, Janice Slater
has agreed to take over from me as Lady President when I complete my term of office in
November, and I was delighted with the full support this proposal received.
2015
Our first priority in the year is to resolve the ongoing question of the format for our
competition time sheets, and hopefully we will be able to do so at our Ladies Forum on
Tuesday 3 March at 6.30pm. Unfortunately it will be impossible to please everyone, but
hopefully with one or two compromises, we will be able to find a way forward so that we
can put the issue to rest, and all get on with enjoying our golf, and everything that our
wonderful Ladies Section has to offer. During the year, we will also be looking to further develop our Thursday morning golf
sessions to include all ladies, with the introduction of some fun competitions, and other
events aimed specifically at our Senior Ladies.
We are now looking forward to an enjoyable year with our new Lady Captain Angela Fox, Vice–Captain Dee Laurie and Senior Ladies Captain Betty Weston, and I would like to wish
them all every success. PAST LADY CAPTAIN’S
DINNER
Our Lady Past Captains
have already enjoyed
a new event this year
when many of them
attended the first Lady
Past Captains dinner held
on Thursday 15 January. I know they will all join
me in in thanking Past
Captain Pru Lapworth
for organising a very
successful evening.
Unfortunately I will be away for our first big event, the first round of the Mail on Sunday
knockouts on Sunday 1st February (v. Lingdale at home), but I wish the team every
success, and hope they will have a good turn out from our Rothley supporters.
The golf season begins in earnest in April, and will be marked this year by our Pre-Season
get together on Thursday 2 April at £7.00pm, an informal evening to kick start the new
Season. The theme of the evening will be “Look Good and Feel Great”, and there will be
a series of presentations on ways in which this can be achieved, together with lots of
opportunities for shopping at specialist designer stalls. Tickets will be available soon
priced at £10 per person to include a glass of Prosecco, and a goody bag. Guests welcome! Please look out for more details coming soon.
Gilly Walton
Lady President
JUNIOR SECTION
Jack Hancock has taken over as Junior Captain and we wish him an
enjoyable and successful year in the role. Many thanks to Lewis Baker who did a great job
as Captain in 2014 and will continue to be a key member of our junior section in what
promises to be another exciting year!
The majority of the Junior Fixtures are already in place and can be found on either the
Junior notice board or on the Rothley Park website. The season kicks off with a fun
competition on February 19th and our first stableford will take place on April 2nd.
I would like to thank all the Rothley Park members and staff for their good wishes, support
and encouragement while I was off work due to my knee surgery. I received 30 or more get
well cards and had plenty of visitors and phone calls to cheer me up.
2015
I am pleased to report that the operation went well and I am making good progress in my
recovery. It is nice to be back at work in the shop and teaching again. I also look forward to
getting back to swinging a club in the near future.
Katie
Junior Organiser
SOCIAL REPORT
We saw 2014 out in style with a series of memorable events. Our Halloween Ball
was a huge success, a combination of some devilishly good cocktails served by three very
wicked witches, followed by a delicious three course meal, competitions, some very scary
company, and thanks to brilliant band Dirty Carpet, a full dance floor until the witching
hour. Many thanks once again to Dawn Patchett for all her help.
This was followed at the end of November by the Candlelight Dinner where 75 members
enjoyed a superb meal, and an excellent performance from comedy vocalist Judith Hibbert. I think its true to say that some guests were still laughing days later!
CANDLELIGHT DINNER
The children’s Christmas Party was also a huge success with in excess of 40 under 8’s
enjoying first class entertainment, party food, and of course the eagerly anticipated visit
from Santa Claus who never fails to disappoint. Thank you Santa, and also many thanks to
Ann Coupland for organising yet another great event!
I am pleased to say that Jan and Roger Barbrook are continuing to organise the Fun
Golf events for the coming year – a series of 9 hole competitions played in teams of four
with some excellent prizes. Friday night “Specials” will be available in the clubhouse
afterwards for those who would like to eat. These are relaxed informal occasions and it
is not necessary to change, although tables will be available in the dining room for those
who would like to do so. Please see the Social Calendar for the dates, and make sure you
sign up in plenty of time, as very often times are limited. Also remember that guests are
welcome!
2015
Our first Cabaret Dinner this year will be on Saturday 18 April, when the entertainment
will be “A Celebration of the Life and Works of Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber”, performed by
musical theatre actress Sally Jones. Sally will be talking about his background, his life and
how he started in the business. She’ll also be sharing some fascinating facts and figures
about his many musicals, as well as some amusing anecdotes, and of course, Sally will be
performing some of his great songs from shows such as Phantom of the Opera, Cats, Jesus
Christ Superstar, Joseph & the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, and Sunset Boulevard.
Don’t miss this chance to see a wonderfully informative and entertaining show. Please sign
your names up on the social notice board, or let me know if you would like to come, and I’ll
include you in the table arrangement.
The Mixed Quiz is scheduled for Friday 6 March and the quizmasters will be last year’s
winners, the McEwan family. A two course meal followed by a fun quiz at £14.00 per
person. Teams of 6 – please make up your team, and sign up for your table on the social
notice board.
I would like to thank everyone who supported the social events last year – we were very
fortunate to discover some excellent acts, and I promise that we are endeavouring to
maintain the same high standards this year! Please look out for more details on our dates
for later in the year, and hopefully we will see some new faces as well!
Gilly Walton
FUN GOLF
url
CABARET DINNER
Saturday 18 April 2015
Friday 6 March 2015
7.00pm Start
Starting Easter Monday, and continuing on
selected Friday evenings through the Season
18 Hole Am am - Monday 6 April
9 hole Kick, Throw & Mulligan - Friday 29 May
15 hole Jokers & Dragons - Friday 19 June
9 holeTexas Scramble - Friday 3 July
TEAMS OF 6
Bring your friends & family
£14 per person
Two Course Supper
Followed by a fun Quiz
Prizes for winning team
Chef’s
Specials
Board
£7.95
9 Hole One Club Comp - Friday 14 August
9 hole Pink Peril - Friday 11 September
9 hole String Competition - Sunday 1 November
9 hole Bring & Win - Sunday 13 December
Teams of 4 (Guests Welcome)
No Handicap limit/No more than 2 men in each team
Great fun! Great Prizes for winning teams!
Entry Sheet on the notice board
Sign up now for the next event!
£20 per team of 4
Chef’s Specials Available in the clubhouse afterwards
(No change requiredl)
Arrive 7.30pm
Cabaret 9.45pm
Dinner 8.00pm
TICKETS £25.00
(please enter your names on the sign up sheet to
reserve your seats)
THE 12TH CABIN
Happy New Year and thank you ALL for your support in 2014! Some members have asked what my opening times are ... so until the season starts
in March/April ... I will be open Monday & Wednesday mornings for the Seniors and
Saturdays & Sundays until about 2pm to ensure all those playing have an opportunity to
pick up refreshments (opening subject to weather conditions!). The walkie talkie seems to
be working well for everyone (when I don’t leave it out in the rain) which has allowed me
to put fried eggs on the menu too! In addition, my homemade soup of the week will stay on
the menu until the spring.
2015
Here’s to a ‘dry January’ of a different kind!
2014 PHOTO ROUND-UP
VIV AND IAN COUNTING THEIR CHARITY BOTTLE PROCEEDS
Maureen
2015
THE LADIES ENJOYING THEIR CHRISTMAS LUNCH
2015
LADIES CHRISTMAS
LUNCH BUSKERS
DONNA YOUNG
AND TISH KNIGHT
WHO RAISED
OVER £270 FOR
THE CAPTAINS’
CHARITY.
IT’S DIFFICULT TO
GET GOOD STAFF
THESE DAYS!
THE LADIES’ CHRISTMAS FAYRE RAISED OVER £1000 FOR THE CAPTAINS’ CHARITY
2015
NEW YEAR’S DAY - 2015 CAPTAINS ANGELA FOX AND TOM MULLIGAN DRIVING IN
TINA COLLINS & IAN AGAR WINNERS OF THE
2014 WHOWELL SALVERS KNOCK OUT
ROB TOONE WINNING THE NEW YEAR
PROFESSIONAL’S RAFFLE
DOREEN WATSON WAS THE CLOSEST
TO GUESSING THE DIFFERENCE
BETWEEN THE CAPTAINS DRIVES.
WHOWELL SALVERS RUNNERS UP BOB STANDLEY AND VIV HOLLAND
(COLIN CRAMNER APPEARS IN THE PHOTO
REPRESENTING HIS FRIEND BOB!!)
If you have a story or comment you would like published in the next issue please contact
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